Omicron variant: masks become mandatory in new 'Plan B' rules from today
You'll have to wear a mask in more places, including cinemas
From today, the number of places you will need to wear a mask will increase in England.
Following on from the government's switch to 'Plan B' to combat the spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus, face coverings are now mandatory in more indoor spaces.
Before today, face masks were advised to be worn in shops and on public transport in England, with additional advice in schools and universities.
However, anyone wanting to enter most crowded spaces indoors such as cinemas and theatres will now need to wear a face mask from today.
However, hospitality venues such as pubs, bars and restaurants will not require you to wear a face covering, to help with eating and drinking.
It comes as the government's first transitional change to 'Plan B', to curb the growing spread of the Omicron variant in the UK.
Currently, there are over 500 cases of the variant, originally from southern Africa. To stop its worldwide spread, many countries - including the UK - have banned flights to South Africa and neighbouring nations.
'Plan B' will also see the introduction of so-called 'vaccine passports', allowing entry to certain events once you have shown evidence of being double jabbed.
To give shops and businesses time to prepare for the shift, as well as allow workers to begin working from home, the government has staggered the full implementation of 'Plan B' over the coming week.
Here is what else is happening in 'Plan B', and how you will be affected:
Face coverings
Face coverings have already become an added feature of our lives since they were reinstated at the beginning of December, but from Friday 10th December face masks will also be needed indoors in places like cinemas and theatres.
Boris Johnson said rules around the wearing of face coverings would be "further extended" to "most public indoor venues" including theatres and cinemas.
The Prime Minister told a press briefing in Downing Street: "There will of course be exemptions where it is not practical, such as when eating, drinking, exercising or singing."
Working from home
Under the rules of "Plan B", the government has reimposed the need to work from home where possible in order to stem the spread of the virus. This guidance comes into place from Monday 13th December.
Nightclubs
Under the government's "Plan B" , COVID passports will become necessary to get into all nightclubs. This is due to the close proximity people would be to each other in the venue and help to reduce the spread of the virus.
Indoor spaces
Indoor settings that have more than 500 people unseated will require a COVID Pass to enter. Examples of settings that would need attendees to have a COVID Pass would include music venues and large receptions.
Outdoor events
Outdoor events are not exempt from using COVID Passes either. Unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people will need people to have a vaccine pass. This includes outdoor music festivals, such as Glastonbury Festival.
Stadiums
COVID Passes will be needed to get into any event that is expecting more than 10,000 people to attend. This would include major sports events such as football matches, as well as music concerts in arenas.
The Prime Minister said: "The NHS Covid pass can still be obtained with two doses but we will keep this under review as the boosters roll out.
"And having taken clinical advice since the emergence of Omicron, a negative lateral flow test will also be sufficient."